NPS pulls entrance fee proposal for C&O Canal Park

The C&O Canal Towpath, looking west from Hancock, Md. Photo: Charlie Ban
The C&O Canal Towpath, looking west from Hancock, Md. Photo: Charlie Ban

Midway through a month of public meetings, the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park has withdrawn its proposal in begin charging entrance fees to the park outside of Washington, D.C.

This is despite a recent 10-percent budget cut and nearly 20-percent staff reduction, mainly at Great Falls Park. Existing entrance fees may still be increased.

Park Superintendent Kevin Brandt said under the original proposal, runners and bikers who entered the towpath from D.C. would not have been charged.

The proposal would have established entrance fees at all entrances to the park in Maryland and at Fletcher’s Cove, effective May 1 or later. Entrance fees have only been collected at Great Falls Tavern in Potomac. Those fees would have supported improvements to various park amenities, including parking lots and towpath surface maintenance. Brandt spoke at a public meeting in Bethesda Feb. 5.

Recent Stories

  Looking for our race calendar? Click here   Submit races here or shop local for running gear  

Coaching high school cross country and track made Kelyn Soong a better runner.

Race pacing for fun and fitness

A break from racing one of my favorite events gave me a chance to help other runners reach their time goals.

Eight local runners will compete in the Olympic Marathon Trials Saturday morning in Orlando.

FONA Flowering 5K

Enjoy spring at the U.S. National Arboretum during FONA’s Flowering 5K. This run or walk will take you past garden collections brightly colored with spring flowers, over tree-lined rolling hills, and along streams winding their way to the Anacostia River.

Carderock Half Marathon

May 18th, 2025

7:30 AM Start

Race on the scenic C&O Towpath
$65.00 through 2/28
$75.00 – 2/28 through 4/30
$85.00 – 4/30 through 5/18 at 7:29 AM

Race Course and Finish Line will be open for 3 1/2 hours.

×

Subscribe to our mailing list